Transportation vehicle

Abstract

To provide a transportation vehicle capable of stably towing a vehicle to be transported.SOLUTION: A transportation vehicle is provided with a transportation vehicle body, a base part, a swing part, and a lock mechanism. The transportation vehicle body has a motor, and a drive wheel. The base part is attached on the transportation vehicle body not to be allowed to swing in a horizontal direction. The swing part is attached on the based part to be allowed to swing in the horizontal direction. The lock mechanism locks swing of the swing part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a carrier vehicle.

Background Art

[0002] Carrier vehicles such as electric tow tractors and automated guided vehicles (AGVs) are configured to be connected to a vehicle to be carried such as a trolley and tow and carry the vehicle to be carried (Patent Document 1). The carrier vehicle and the vehicle to be carried are connected so as to be swingable with respect to each other so that the carrier vehicle can turn when carrying the vehicle to be carried.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The vehicle to be carried has a plurality of wheels, and there are cases where the plurality of wheels have free wheels and fixed wheels, and cases where all of the plurality of wheels are free wheels. In the latter case, that is, when all the wheels are free wheels, when the carrier vehicle towes and runs the vehicle to be carried, the vehicle to be carried cannot be stably towed because the turning center is not determined.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a carrier vehicle capable of stably towing a vehicle to be carried.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The carrier vehicle according to the first aspect includes a carrier vehicle body, a base portion, a swing portion, and a lock mechanism. The carrier vehicle body has a prime mover and drive wheels. The base portion is attached to the carrier vehicle body so as not to swing in the horizontal direction. The swing portion is attached to the base portion so as to be swingable in the horizontal direction. The lock mechanism is configured to lock the swing of the swing portion so as to be releasable.

[0007] According to this configuration, when the carrier vehicle pulls a conveyed vehicle having only swivel wheels, the rocking of the rocking part can be locked by the locking mechanism. Thereby, the turning center of the conveyed vehicle is determined, and the carrier vehicle can stably pull the conveyed vehicle. Further, when the wheels of the conveyed vehicle include both swivel wheels and fixed wheels, the carrier vehicle with the conveyed vehicle connected can be easily turned by releasing the lock of the locking mechanism.

[0008] The carrier vehicle according to the second aspect is configured as follows in the carrier vehicle according to the first aspect. The base part is attached to be swingable in the vertical direction with respect to the carrier vehicle body.

[0009] The carrier vehicle according to the third aspect is configured as follows in the carrier vehicle according to the second aspect. The carrier vehicle body has a biasing member that biases the drive wheels downward. The biasing member is disposed between the base part and the drive wheels.

[0010] The carrier vehicle according to the fourth aspect is configured as follows in the carrier vehicle according to any one of the first to third aspects. The locking mechanism has a lock pin that penetrates the base part and the rocking part.

[0011] The carrier vehicle according to the fifth aspect further includes a rocking shaft in the carrier vehicle according to the fourth aspect. The rocking shaft swingably connects the rocking part and the base part. The lock pin is disposed at a position away from the carrier vehicle body with respect to the rocking shaft.

[0012] The carrier vehicle according to the sixth aspect further includes a rocking shaft in the carrier vehicle according to the fourth or fifth aspect. The rocking shaft swingably connects the rocking part and the base part. The lock pin is disposed offset in the left - right direction with respect to the rocking shaft.

[0013] The carrier vehicle according to the seventh aspect is the carrier vehicle according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, and further includes a swing shaft. The swing shaft swingably connects the swing part and the base part. The base part has a first support piece and a second support piece. The second support piece is arranged at an interval in the vertical direction from the first support piece. The swing part is arranged between the first support piece and the second support piece. The swing shaft penetrates the swing part and is supported by the first support piece and the second support piece.

[0014] The carrier vehicle according to the eighth aspect is the carrier vehicle according to the seventh aspect, and further includes first and second bearing members. The first bearing member is attached to the first support piece. The first bearing member rotatably supports the swing shaft. The second bearing member is attached to the second support piece. The second bearing member rotatably supports the swing shaft.

[0015] The carrier vehicle according to the ninth aspect is the carrier vehicle according to any one of the first to eighth aspects, and further includes a swing shaft. The swing shaft swingably connects the swing part and the base part. The swing part has a swing main body part, a first attachment piece, and a second attachment piece. The first attachment piece extends from the upper part of the swing main body part toward the base part. The second attachment piece extends from the lower part of the swing main body part toward the base part. The second attachment piece is arranged at an interval from the first attachment piece. The swing shaft extends through the first attachment piece and the second attachment piece.

[0016] The carrier vehicle according to the tenth aspect is configured as follows in the carrier vehicle according to the ninth aspect. The swing shaft is configured to rotate integrally with the first attachment piece and the second attachment piece.

[0017] The carrier vehicle according to the eleventh aspect is the carrier vehicle according to any one of the first to tenth aspects, and further includes an arm and a clamp part. The arm extends downward from the swing part. The clamp part is attached to the tip of the arm. The clamp part is configured to clamp the vehicle to be transported.

Advantages of the Invention

[0018] According to the present invention, the vehicle to be transported can be stably towed.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0019]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0020] Hereinafter, the transport vehicle 100 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the front is the direction in which the transport vehicle 100 pulls the vehicle to be transported 101 forward, and the rear is the direction in which the transport vehicle 100 pushes the vehicle to be transported 101 forward. That is, the right side of FIG. 1 is the front, and the left side of FIG. 1 is the rear.

[0021] <Transport vehicle> FIG. 1 is a side view of the transport vehicle 100. Note that FIG. 1 shows the transport vehicle 100 before being connected to the vehicle to be transported 101. As shown in FIG. 1, the transport vehicle 100 is configured to be connected to the vehicle to be transported 101 and tow the vehicle to be transported 101. The transport vehicle 100 is driven by manual power and the assist force of the prime mover 24. Note that the transport vehicle 100 can also travel by manual power only or the driving force of the prime mover only. In the present embodiment, a cage car is exemplified as the vehicle to be transported 101, but the vehicle to be transported 101 can also be exemplified by a trolley, a stretcher, a wheelchair, etc. other than the cage car.

[0022] The transport vehicle 100 includes a transport vehicle body 2, a base part 3, a swing part 4, a first swing shaft 5 (an example of a swing shaft), a lock mechanism 6, an arm 7, and a clamp part 8. The vehicle to be transported 101 towed by the transport vehicle 100 has a plurality of wheels 102.

[0023] <Transport vehicle body> Figure 2 is a side view of the transport vehicle body 2 with a part of the frame 21 removed as shown in Figure 1. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the transport vehicle body 2 has a frame 21, an operation member 22, drive wheels 23, a prime mover 24, driven wheels 25, a battery 26, and a biasing member 27.

[0024] The operation member 22 is attached to the frame 21. The operation member 22 is configured such that forward or backward manual force input by the user is input. For example, a handle for the user to grip is attached to the tip of the operation member 22.

[0025] The drive wheels 23, the prime mover 24, the driven wheels 25, the battery 26, and the biasing member 27 are attached to the frame 21. The drive wheels 23 are driven by the prime mover 24. The prime mover 24 is, for example, an electric motor. The prime mover 24 is supplied with power from the battery 26.

[0026] The biasing member 27 is configured to bias the drive wheels 23 downward. The biasing member 27 is disposed between the base portion 3 and the drive wheels 23. The biasing member 27 biases the base portion 3 and the drive wheels 23 in a direction in which they move away from each other. The biasing member 27 is attached to the base portion 3 at its upper end and to the frame 21 at its lower end. The biasing member 27 biases the drive wheels 23 downward via the frame 21. The biasing member 27 is, for example, a coil spring. The biasing member 27 is installed so as to be in a compressed state when the carried vehicle 101 is connected to the transport vehicle 100.

[0027] <Base portion> The base portion 3 is attached to the transport vehicle body 2 in a non-swayable manner in the horizontal direction. That is, the base portion 3 does not sway in the left-right direction with respect to the transport vehicle body 2. On the other hand, the base portion 3 is attached to the transport vehicle body 2 in a swayable manner in the vertical direction. Specifically, the base portion 3 is swayable in the vertical direction along a vertical plane extending in the front-rear direction.

[0028] The base portion 3 is attached to the frame 21 via the second swing shaft 35. The base portion 3 is swingable about the second swing shaft 35. The second swing shaft 35 extends in the horizontal direction. Specifically, the second swing shaft 35 extends in the left - right direction. For this reason, the base portion 3 is swingable in the vertical direction with respect to the frame 21 and is not swingable in the left - right direction.

[0029] Figure 3 is a perspective view showing details of the base portion 3 and the swing portion 4. As shown in Figure 3, the base portion 3 has a base main body portion 30, a first support piece 31, and a second support piece 32.

[0030] The first support piece 31 and the second support piece 32 extend rearward from the base main body portion 30. The second support piece 32 is arranged at a vertical interval from the first support piece 31. The second support piece 32 is arranged below the first support piece 31. The second support piece 32 extends more rearward than the first support piece 31.

[0031] <Swing portion> The swing portion 4 is arranged rearward with respect to the base portion 3. A part of the swing portion 4 is arranged between the first support piece 31 and the second support piece 32. The swing portion 4 is attached to the base portion 3 so as to be swingable in the horizontal direction. Specifically, the swing portion 4 is attached to the base portion 3 so as to be swingable in the left - right direction. The swing portion 4 is attached to the base portion 3 via the first swing shaft 5. The swing portion 4 is swingable about the first swing shaft 5.

[0032] Figure 4 is a cross - sectional view showing the periphery of the first swing shaft 5. As shown in Figure 4, the first swing shaft 5 extends in the vertical direction. The first swing shaft 5 swingably connects the base portion 3 and the swing portion 4. The first swing shaft 5 passes through the swing portion 4. The first swing shaft 5 is supported by the first support piece 31 and the second support piece 32. The upper end portion of the first swing shaft 5 is supported by the first support piece 31, and the lower end portion of the first swing shaft 5 is supported by the second support piece 32.

[0033] Specifically, the first bearing member 33 is supported by the first support piece 31. This first bearing member 33 rotatably supports the upper end portion of the first swing shaft 5. Further, the second bearing member 34 is supported by the second support piece 32. This second bearing member 34 rotatably supports the lower end portion of the first swing shaft 5. In this way, the first swing shaft 5 is rotatably supported by the base portion 3.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 3, the swing portion 4 has a swing main body portion 40, a first attachment piece 41, and a second attachment piece 42. The first attachment piece 41 extends from the upper portion of the swing main body portion 40 toward the base portion 3. That is, the first attachment piece 41 extends forward from the upper portion of the swing main body portion 40.

[0035] The second attachment piece 42 extends from the lower portion of the swing main body portion 40 toward the base portion 3. That is, the second attachment piece 42 extends forward from the lower portion of the swing main body portion 40. The second attachment piece 42 is arranged at an interval in the vertical direction from the first attachment piece 41. The second attachment piece 42 is arranged below the first attachment piece 41. The first attachment piece 41 and the second attachment piece 42 of the swing portion 4 are arranged between the first support piece 31 and the second support piece 32.

[0036] The first swing shaft 5 extends through the first attachment piece 41 and the second attachment piece 42. The first swing shaft 5 is attached to the first attachment piece 41 and the second attachment piece 42 so as to rotate integrally with the first attachment piece 41 and the second attachment piece 42. Specifically, the first swing shaft 5 is attached to the first attachment piece 41 and the second attachment piece 42 via a key 51.

[0037] <Lock mechanism> The locking mechanism 6 is configured to lock the horizontal swing of the swinging part 4 in a releasable manner. The locking mechanism 6 has a locking pin 61. The locking pin 61 penetrates the base part 3 and the swinging part 4. The locking pin 61 extends in the vertical direction. The locking pin 61 can be constituted by, for example, a bolt. After passing the locking pin 61 through the respective through holes formed in the base part 3 and the swinging part 4, the locking pin 61 can be attached to the base part 3 and the swinging part 4 by screwing a nut onto the locking pin 61. Specifically, the locking pin 61 is attached to the swing body part 40 and the second support piece 32. Thereby, the locking mechanism 6 can lock the swing of the swinging part 4. Note that the locking mechanism 6 releases the lock of the swinging part 4 by removing this locking pin 61.

[0038] The locking pin 61 is arranged at a position away from the carrier vehicle body 2 with respect to the first swing shaft 5. That is, the locking pin 61 is arranged on the side of the vehicle 101 to be conveyed with respect to the first swing shaft 5. The locking pin 61 is arranged behind the first swing shaft 5.

[0039] The locking pin 61 is arranged so as to be displaced in the left - right direction with respect to the first swing shaft 5. Specifically, the locking pin 61 is arranged so as not to overlap the first swing shaft 5 in the front - rear direction view.

[0040] <Arm> The arm 7 extends downward from the swinging part 4. The arm 7 is fixed to the swinging part 4. That is, the arm 7 swings integrally with the swinging part 4. The arm 7 is fixed to the swinging part 4 by bolts or the like. The arm 7 is constituted by a separate member from the swinging part 4, but may be integrally constituted by one member with the swinging part 4.

[0041] <Clamping part> The clamping portion 8 is attached to the tip (lower end portion) of the arm 7. The clamping portion 8 is movable in the vertical direction with respect to the arm 7. For example, the clamping portion 8 is fixed to the arm 7 by a plurality of bolts or the like, and by loosening the bolts, the clamping portion 8 can be moved in the vertical direction with respect to the arm 7.

[0042] The clamping portion 8 is configured to clamp the vehicle to be conveyed. The clamping portion 8 clamps the outer peripheral portion of the vehicle to be conveyed 101.

[0043] When all of the wheels 102 of the vehicle to be conveyed 101 described above are free wheels, the conveying vehicle 100 locks the locking mechanism 6. As a result, the swinging portion 4 becomes non-swingable with respect to the base portion 3. On the other hand, when the wheels 102 of the vehicle to be conveyed 101 include both free wheels and fixed wheels, the locking mechanism 6 is released. As a result, the swinging portion 4 becomes swingable with respect to the base portion 3.

[0044] [Modification Example] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these, and various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Note that the following modification examples can basically be applied simultaneously.

[0045] (a) In the above embodiment, the locking mechanism 6 is constituted by the locking pin 61, but the configuration of the locking mechanism 6 is not limited to this. For example, the locking mechanism 6 may be configured to hold the swinging portion 4 from both sides in the width direction, or may be configured to restrict the swinging of the swinging portion 4 by a friction member or the like.

[0046] (b) In the above embodiment, the swinging portion 4 has the first attachment piece 41 and the second attachment piece 42, but the configuration of the swinging portion 4 is not limited to this. For example, the swinging portion 4 may not have the first attachment piece 41 and the second attachment piece 42. In this case, the first swinging shaft 5 extends through the swinging main body portion 40.

[0047] (c) In the above-described embodiment, the carrier vehicle 100 clamps the vehicle 101 to be carried by the clamping unit 8, but the connection method between the carrier vehicle 100 and the vehicle 101 to be carried is not limited to this. For example, the carrier vehicle 100 and the vehicle 101 to be carried may be connected by a pin or the like.

[0048] (d) In the above-described embodiment, the base portion 3 is configured by a separate member from the frame 21 of the carrier vehicle main body 2, but the configuration of the base portion 3 is not limited to this. For example, the base portion 3 may be integrally configured by one member with the frame 21.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0049] 2: Carrier vehicle main body 23: Driving wheel 24: Prime mover 27: Biasing member 3: Base portion 31: First support piece 32: Second support piece 33: First bearing member 34: Second bearing member 4: Oscillating portion 40: Oscillating main body portion 41: First attachment piece 42: Second attachment piece 5: First oscillating shaft 51: Key 6: Lock mechanism 61: Lock pin 7: Arm 8: Clamping unit 100: Carrier vehicle 101: Vehicle to be carried

Claims

1. A transport vehicle comprising a prime mover and a transport vehicle body having drive wheels, a base portion attached to the transport vehicle body so as not to swing horizontally, a swing portion attached to the base portion so as to be swingable horizontally, and a locking mechanism configured to lock the swing of the swing portion releasably. A transport vehicle.

2. The base portion is attached to the transport vehicle body so as to be swingable vertically, The transport vehicle according to claim 1.

3. The transport vehicle body has a biasing member that biases the drive wheels downward, The biasing member is disposed between the base portion and the drive wheels, The transport vehicle according to claim 2.

4. The locking mechanism has a locking pin that penetrates the base portion and the swing portion, The transport vehicle according to claim 1.

5. The transport vehicle further comprises a swing shaft that swingably connects the swing portion and the base portion, The locking pin is disposed at a position away from the transport vehicle body with respect to the swing shaft, The transport vehicle according to claim 4.

6. The transport vehicle further comprises a swing shaft that swingably connects the swing portion and the base portion, The locking pin is disposed offset in the left-right direction with respect to the swing shaft, The transport vehicle according to claim 4.

7. The transport vehicle further comprises a swing shaft that swingably connects the swing portion and the base portion, The base portion has a first support piece and a second support piece disposed at a vertical interval from the first support piece, The swing portion is disposed between the first support piece and the second support piece, The swing shaft penetrates the swing portion and is supported by the first support piece and the second support piece, The transport vehicle according to claim 1.

8. A first bearing member attached to the first support piece and rotatably supporting the swing shaft, A second bearing member attached to the second support piece and rotatably supporting the swing shaft, The transport vehicle according to claim 7, further comprising.

9. The transport vehicle further comprises a swing shaft that swingably connects the swing portion and the base portion, The swing portion includes a swing main body portion, a first attachment piece extending from an upper portion of the swing main body portion toward the base portion, a second attachment piece extending from a lower portion of the swing main body portion toward the base portion and disposed at an interval from the first attachment piece, and has, The swing shaft extends through the first attachment piece and the second attachment piece, The transport vehicle according to claim 1.

10. The swing shaft is configured to rotate integrally with the first attachment piece and the second attachment piece. The carrier vehicle according to claim 9.

11. An arm extending downward from the swing portion, A clamp portion attached to the tip of the arm and configured to clamp the vehicle to be conveyed. The carrier vehicle according to claim 1, further comprising:

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